Sean Astin is a film and television actor. Astin is also the New York Times bestselling author of There and Back Again, a memoir co-written with Joe Layden about his film career. Astin has been actively engaged in the political world since early in his life, supporting mostly Democratic candidates. He also served in two non-partisan Presidential appointments. In 1995, under President Clinton, he became a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, serving for 10 years under six secretaries of the Army in two administrations. Later, President Bush appointed him to his Council on Service and Civic Participation, whose mission was to promote a culture of volunteerism and civic engagement.